'The teachable moments': Primary students leave class to help dying whales

A rural school pulled its kids out of class on Thursday to join the crowd trying to save dozens of pilot whales stranded on the Wairarapa coast.

About 50 pilot whales were found in the rugged Ngawai coastline, most of them dead.

Despite crews' efforts to get four remaining whales back in the water, they died on Thursday afternoon.

Pirinoa School principal Toby Funnell said kids from 8- to 12-years-old gathered containers and were driven to the beach, hoping to help the whales stay wet.

"Everyone talks about the teachable moments, and it seemed crazy to keep the kids in school."

Among the crowds there, the kids stayed back watching the animals while crews explained what was happening.

"You want to jump in and do something. But I guess the reality of these whales, four metres plus ... it's pretty challenging."

Funnell himself was futher along the coast, and watched the first whale get floated.

"It was pretty emotional seeing the poor things stuck and all ripped up."

RNZ understands crews were told to leave the water for some time after the first whale was floated, due an excess of blood.

"There was this feeling of helplessness when they made the call to get everyone out of the water," Funnell said.

He said about 60 people were on the coast ready to help however they could.

"It's as unique as you can get ... everyone wants to help the wildlife."

Rescue team Project Jonah manager Louisa Hawkes told RNZ that four whales who were initally found alive, did not make it in the end.

This included two whales which crews managed to get back in the water.

"We definitely appreciate everybody who came out and helped and tried to do their best for the whales.

"It was really tricky conditions, and tough conditions for those on the beach."

She said the weeks to come would likely include investigating what caused the stranding.

"It's really hard when you're on the beach to figure out why they've come ashore."

The Conservation Department (DOC) confirmed that 30 pilot whales were dead, while locals reported seeing about 50.

On Thursday night, iwi held karakia for the animals.

DOC said it was working with iwi, hāpu and whānau to manage the tūapāku (corpses).